Chinoda remembers his roots

SIX schools in Buhera district were beneficiaries of former professional volleyball player, Tinashe Chinoda, who donated 112 volleyball jerseys to them at the weekend.

The Turkey-based Chinoda, who is now into part time volleyball coaching, is back home.

He said he was happy to have fulfilled his dream of giving back to the community.

The beneficiaries were Chikuvire, Buhera Village and Chikwidibire Primary Schools as well Buhera, Chikwidibire and Nerutanga High Schools.

“I am happy that I have managed to give something back to the community and it has always been my dream to do that,’’ he said.

“Having played volleyball, since my high school days in Buhera, I saw it befitting to promote the sport, at school level.

“Growing up, I attended an upper top school and we would admire some uniforms worn by schools such as Marist brothers, and that used to affect us psychologically, even before we even got onto the courts.

“I think the donations will go a long way in promoting the sport.

“There is need to support the rural schools as they have produced some talented individuals and a lot of it go unnoticed.

“My wish is to continue giving back to the schools and I hope, when I return to my base in Turkey, I will be able to pull together more resources, to help those back here.’’

Chinoda, who played for Fort Hare University, at his peak, moved to the United States in 2014, where he continued playing.

An economist by profession, Chinoda is also a motivational speaker with his pages on YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms.